Desoto Elementary

Nurse

Welcome to the Health Clinic

The health and well being of all our students at DeSoto Elementary is our main concern. The health clinic is staffed by a registered nurse two days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. we have a two bed clinic. A typical day includes caring for tummy aches, minor scrapes, head bumps, and "boo-boos." Students are sent home for a temperature above 99.6, diarrhea, vomiting, pink eye, and lice. medication is administered at lunch, before P.E., recess, and on an as needed basis. We have several students who require inhalers and nebulizer treatments at school.

Health records are maintained on all students. Records include information on immunizations, height, weight, allergies, illness, fluoride participation, and vision, dental, and scoliosis screenings. Physicals are recommended on all students in kindergarten, sixth, and ninth grades.

At the start of each school year, parents fill out a student health information sheet. Information is compiled and a confidential health list is distributed to staff.

Immunizations are a very important part of the student health record. Indiana state law requires that when a child enrolls in a school corporation for the first time, or any subsequent time, and at any level, parents must show either that he/she has been immunized or that a current religious or medical objection is on file. Immunization requirements are as follows:

Minimum Immunization requirements for All Children Newly Enrolled in Kindergarten or Grade One and Less Than Seven Years Old:

Five doses of diptheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP), diptheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), or pediatric diptheria-tetanus vaccine (DT) or four doses are acceptable if the fourth dose was administered on or after the fourth birthday.
Four doses of either oral polio vaccine (OPV) or inactivated polio (IPV), in any combination or three doses of all OPV or all IPV are acceptable if the third dose was administered on or after the fourth birthday.
Two doses of measles (rubeola) vaccine, on or after the first birthday.
One dose of rubella (German Measles) vaccine, on or after the first birthday.
One dose of mumps vaccine, on or after the first birthday.

Minimum Immunization Requirements For All Children Enrolled in Grade Two or Above or Seven Years of Age and Older:

Three doses of diptheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP), diptheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), or tetanus-diptheria (Td) vaccine, or pediatric diptheria-tetanus (DT) vaccine.
Three doses of either all oral polio vaccine (OPV) or all inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). If a combination of OPV and IPV is used, four doses are required.
One dose of measles (rubeola) vaccine, on or after the first birthday.
One dose of rubella (German Measles) vaccine, on or after the first birthday.
One dose of mumps vaccine, on or after the first birthday
Two doses of measles-containing vaccine are required for children in grades six to twelve and students in ungraded classrooms who are 11 to 12 years of age or older by August 1, 1999
In addition, a new law effective July 1, 1999, requires that all Children in kindergarten and first grade be immunized against Hepatitis B for enrollment in the 1999-2000 school year.

There are several screenings required by Indiana State Law. All first grade students are given a Modified Clinical Technique vision screening at school by a local optometrist. Third grade students are given a vision screening by the school nurse. In addition, all students new to the school corporation or students referred by staff or parents are given a vision screening by the school nurse. Any student failing any screening is referred for further evaluation.

Third grade students are given a school dental inspection by a local dentist. This consists of a quick visual exam that screens for decay, gum disease, poor brushing habits, or need of professional cleaning, orthodontia, or space maintainer. A report is sent home to parents that indicates whether dental care is needed. It is recommended that your family dentist be visited every six months for a complete dental examination and necessary care.

First through fifth grade students are able to participate in a fluoride mouth rinse program. The fluoride is given once a week and students swish the fluoride for one minute and may not eat or drink for 30 minutes afterward. All students who participate receive a free toothbrush. The cost of the program is free due to funding by our PTO.

Due to the increasing number of students with asthma, our school corporation in conjunction with the American Lung Association offers a program called "Open Airways For Schools" to asthmatic students in grades 2-5. These students participate in a six lesson curriculum that covers basic information about asthma, recognizing ad managing asthma symptoms, finding triggers and controlling asthma, solving problems with medicines, how to get enough exercise, and doing well at school.

Students are encouraged to participate in red Ribbon Week. Various activities are planned to help send a drug free message to students. All students are given a red ribbon to wear for the week to show their drug free spirit.

The fourth grade students participate in the Basic Aid Training (BAT course. The training consists of six basic units teaching proper first aid techniques to students. Students are taught the first steps in first aid: Check, Call, Care. The remaining five lessons cover various first aid such as : rescue breathing, how to help a choking victim, first aid for poison, fire facts, first aid for minor to major cuts, scrapes, burns, etc. The students really enjoyed learning these important life-saving lessons.

Staff well being is important also. Flu shots were offered to the staff this year. Staff may stop in for blood pressure screenings at their convenience. All staff are given a Universal Precaution Kit at the beginning of each school year. A CPR class is offered periodically to train interested staff. Several staff members have participated and are certified in infant, child, and adult CPR, as well as the Heimlich maneuver.

Parents are always welcome to call with any concerns or questions that they may have. It is a pleasure to be at DeSoto Elementary caring for the students.